Why doesn't Protestantism look like Eastern Orthodoxy?

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It is important in the dialogue that we be honest with what we believe. Because if we are not, how are we going to work out our issues? I see people (not you) who insist that the difference is only terminology, the Filioque and the Pope. That is far, far, far from the truth. As I investigated Orthodoxy when I was deciding whether to convert or not, I found out that it wasn’t a simple as that. It really is a whole different mindset.
We do need to be honest but your criticism of transubstantiation seems more personal thsn representative of EO since as I noted before the term is used by some EO churches. No offense but this is part of a problem that I notice among all denominations on forums: they take more rigid positions than many of their own leaders that they are supposed to follow. For example, bishop Kallistos Ware believes that there is a terminological difference that is not insoluble with the Filioque, which he stated after reading the Pontifical Commission document:

Eastern Orthodox Bishop Kallistos Ware, who once adamantly opposed the filioque doctrine, stated in May of 1995:** “The filioque controversy which has separated us [Eastern Orthodox and Catholics] for so many centuries is more than a mere technicality, but it is not insoluble. Qualifying the firm position taken when I wrote [my book] The Orthodox Church twenty years ago, I now believe, after further study, that the problem is more in the area of semantics and different emphases than in any basic doctrinal differences”** (Speech to a symposium on the Trinity; Rose Hill College, Aiken, South Carolina; emphasis added). In light of this PCPCU document, and similar ones, Bishop Ware is probably right: “the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father alone” and “the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son” may both have orthodox meanings if the words translated “proceeds” actually have different meanings.
 
Before we go into this any further, what is it to you Roman Catholics if the Orthodox do not accept things your Church define? Why insist?
No-one insisted anything, you provided a vague accusation with no reference as usual but a mention to read a book. You misrepresented what in fact Trans is in your post above mine and then made no attempt to clarify your accusation.

Its nothing to me that you disagree as an Orthodox member but from a interest view as to “why”.

Its something to me when someone claims 33-years as Catholic, then incorrectly defines and misrepresents a teaching while leaning on the 33-years. And to boot doesn’t support the claim with factual evidence, but some vague claim that the evidence exists. That does nothing to resolve the “why” that “does” interest me. It makes me wonder what your motivation indeed is here. Which I believe is what Cav mentioned earlier. That’s all well and fine, but not at the cost of hurry up you betcha posts not rooted in factual reality.

The Doctrines have continued to develop in the East. Palamas is a perfect example. There is no need to claim doctrine doesn’t develop because its a fact it does as we though Grace, man continues to understand mystery revealed in public revelation. The fact that public revelation doesn’t change has no bearing on mans ability to fully grasp the mysteries of the Church and continue to elaborate on their understanding. Which indeed is what occurred with Palamas, All this indicates is what we already know, Grace precedes knowledge.

The idea the Greek philosophy, and pagan is addressed, or in a word used, is no mystery in the Church. Before the First Council this was prevelant and can be read in just about every teaching school in Christianity. Namely Antioch and Alexandria. Creation from nothing became a point of contention and so forth. If the pagans where wrong, they were simply wrong. If they were right, so too they were right. The fact that these two histories ran parallel is indeed a reality. Why should it be ignored or used as some critique of the Latin Church and not the EO Greek? What’s the difference?

There is no neglecting the first 380 years of the Church under the pretense that the past philosophical arguments didn’t play a role. This is well documented with Origen in “The Fundamental Doctrines” and many others. In particular with the understanding and discernment of the Soul in his teaching, and as with many, and as mentioned with creation. This comes of issue with many in a effort to communicate and come to terms with different understanding. This history is your history, there is no getting around it. I don’t see it as tool to create division under the pretense you are not a very real part of that history, that same history.

Many of the early church father’s were in fact pagans before they converted. This is no different than today in communication with mankind. I believe we do a injustice to the schools of Antioch and Alexandria on that path. I see brilliance in both with a well laid out understanding. The fact that “today” we now understand issues more clearer than then in certain case’s, only serves to indicate what’s mentioned above, by Grace we do come to a better understanding of mystery. .

And oddly enough Trans comes from the Greek Fathers of the Church and is translated into Latin.

“its antiquity [Trans] goes back to the early Greek Fathers of the Church who used the word meta-ousiosis. Literally, this means change of one ousia or being—that of bread and wine—into another ousia or being, that of Christ’s living body and blood.” Fr Hardin
 
. . . No offense but this is part of a problem that I notice among all denominations on forums: they take more rigid positions than many of their own leaders that they are supposed to follow. . .
I have noticed this also. It is ironic that we communicate so well with each other but some hold views that are outdated and not reflective of their own Church authority.
 
But if the goal was just to purify the Catholic Church, why did this practice enter into the picture at all? If one says the problems with the Church are A, B and C, why not fix A, B and C rather than invent a new form of Christianity?
Excuse me, a practical question, if I may. I am an Evangelical, but for the sake of example let’s say I am a Catholic with the beliefs and ideas of an Evangelical who will possess a more formal Evangelical affiliation before too long. I like your idea, so if you don’t mind, could I just go ahead and fix A, B, and C? It’ll only take a minute.

No? Really? I can go to hell, then, I see how it is. Well, I suppose I had better explore some different avenues and hope that they work out better than this.

I would also like to point out one thing. Trent happened in Response To the Protestant Reformation. Luther’s 95 Theses was in 1517. The European Wars of Religion began in 1524. Trent didn’t start until 1545. 1545 is when the CC began to convene and began to discuss A, B, and C. What was it that Catholic bishops were doing in the 1520’s and 1530’s? (Besides watching England and Scandinavia formally remove themselves from communion with Rome). Were they sitting on their hands for 20+ years? Were they hoping that A, B, and C could stay tabled and that nothing would have to be done?

Now, I am most definitely equating the resolution of A, B, and C with a major council such as Trent. Do you have a different idea of what it means to fix A, B, and C?
 
In a nutshell, if I remember right, the Eastern Orth. rejected the primacy of the Pope regarding
the question of Easter and other holidays, but accepted the rest of the Church.

The Protestants reject the Church entirely, and accept only the Scriptures as their basis
of belief.

They’re very different, EO and Protestants, in HOW they protest the Church.
 
In a nutshell, if I remember right, the Eastern Orth. rejected the primacy of the Pope regarding
the question of Easter and other holidays, but accepted the rest of the Church.

The Protestants reject the Church entirely, and accept only the Scriptures as their basis
of belief.

They’re very different, EO and Protestants, in HOW they protest the Church.
Do you protest against Orthodoxy? And if so, how do you do it?
 
We do need to be honest but your criticism of transubstantiation seems more personal thsn representative of EO since as I noted before the term is used by some EO churches. No offense but this is part of a problem that I notice among all denominations on forums: they take more rigid positions than many of their own leaders that they are supposed to follow. For example, bishop Kallistos Ware believes that there is a terminological difference that is not insoluble with the Filioque, which he stated after reading the Pontifical Commission document:

Eastern Orthodox Bishop Kallistos Ware, who once adamantly opposed the filioque doctrine, stated in May of 1995:** “The filioque controversy which has separated us [Eastern Orthodox and Catholics] for so many centuries is more than a mere technicality, but it is not insoluble. Qualifying the firm position taken when I wrote [my book] The Orthodox Church twenty years ago, I now believe, after further study, that the problem is more in the area of semantics and different emphases than in any basic doctrinal differences”** (Speech to a symposium on the Trinity; Rose Hill College, Aiken, South Carolina; emphasis added). In light of this PCPCU document, and similar ones, Bishop Ware is probably right: “the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father alone” and “the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son” may both have orthodox meanings if the words translated “proceeds” actually have different meanings.
I think you’re trying to make the Orthodox Church into the RCC again. Not just because one Metropolitan (or even Patriarch) said something, it doesn’t change our faith. Nothing short of universal acceptance determines what is or is not our faith. Also we are free disagree or give opinions about certain matters. That is what you are getting here. I can give you a dozen other sources who will present disagreements on the Filioque.

In any case, neither the Filioque or Transubstantiation is accepted as Orthodox dogma.
 
I’m not following the 1200 thinking. The Bread and Wine are Bread and Wine until the consecration, they are symbolic. The physical properties of bread and wine remain after consecration. Yet the substance of bread and wine becomes everything which Christ is. I don’t see the issue?
The symbolism of the Sacraments do not cease. It is the mystery that God has given to us. Here is what Fr. Alexander said about it:
At the end of the twelfth century a Latin theologian, Berengarius of Tours, was condemned for his teaching on the Eucharist. He maintained that because the presence of Christ in the eucharistic elements is “mystical” or “symbolic,” it is not real. The Lateran Council which condemned him—and here is for me the crux of the matter—simply reversed the formula. It proclaimed that since Christ’s presence in the Eucharist is real, it is not “mystical.” What is truly decisive here is precisely the disconnection and the opposition of the two terms verum and mystice, the acceptance, on both sides, that they are mutually exclusive. Western theology thus declared that that which is “mystical” or “symbolic” is not real, whereas that which is “real” is not symbolic. This was, in fact, the collapse of the fundamental Christian mysterion, the antinomical “holding together” of the reality of the symbol, and of the symbolism of reality. It was the collapse of the fundamental Christian understanding of creation in terms of its ontological sacramentality. And since then, Christian thought, in Scholasticism and beyond it, never ceased to oppose these terms, to reject, implicitly or explicitly, the “symbolic realism” and the “realistic symbolism” of the Christian world view.
 
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Surnaturel:
. . . No offense but this is part of a problem that I notice among all denominations on forums: they take more rigid positions than many of their own leaders that they are supposed to follow. . .
Some of them are ex-Catholics and maybe quite bitter. They need to justify their leaving the faith and hence hold a more hardline view. Similarly for ex-protestants who converted to Catholics. As such their posts must be taken with a grain of salt and we have to objectively look for their veracity and also their own disposition to the discussion.
 
I think you’re trying to make the Orthodox Church into the RCC again. Not just because one Metropolitan (or even Patriarch) said something, it doesn’t change our faith. Nothing short of universal acceptance determines what is or is not our faith. Also we are free disagree or give opinions about certain matters. That is what you are getting here. I can give you a dozen other sources who will present disagreements on the Filioque.

In any case, neither the Filioque or Transubstantiation is accepted as Orthodox dogma.
The Filioque is rejected by Orthodox theologians; Transubstantiation is accepted by the Orthodox even if the language is not employed. I am not trying to ‘make’ EO into RC. I just happen to have respect for my bishops and pastors as leaders of the Church and if they try to make peace with other churches then I do my best to support their mission. Perhaps you don’t share that same mentality with your church leadership.
 
The Filioque is rejected by Orthodox theologians; Transubstantiation is accepted by the Orthodox even if the language is not employed. I am not trying to ‘make’ EO into RC. I just happen to have respect for my bishops and pastors as leaders of the Church and if they try to make peace with other churches then I do my best to support their mission. Perhaps you don’t share that same mentality with your church leadership.
Proceeds from the Father and the Son…seems to be supported here:

And when He had said this, He (Jesus) breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” You are right about the Eucharist; it’s more of a language difference e.g. “accidents”. Amen to this brother - “and if they try to make peace with other churches then I do my best to support their mission.” 👍
 
ConstantineTG;10761298]From an Eastern Orthodox perspective, Protestantism looks exactly like Catholicism
.

Really Constantine? From a Catholic point of view as you stated in your first page post Protestantism mirrors Orthodoxy because it objects to the authority of Peter and the magesterium.

Where do you get “exactly like Catholicism”? The Sola scriptura, Sola fide protestant doctrine totally sets them apart from Catholicism and the apostolic faith.

The Protestant faith’s mirror Orthodoxy in their own Church authority, and they are autocephalous based church faiths, just like the Orthodox.

Theology? both protestants and Orthodoxy reject the Catholic terminology used to defeat heretics and heresies, such as Transubstantiation, Immaculate Conception, Purgatory, Infallibility of Peter (Popes) speaking ex-cathedra from the chair of Peter on faith and morals. Both protestants and Orthodox also agree to invent a new idea of infallibility as if the Popes are some sort of supreme human being with super heroe powers and authority over people by himself.

These are some of the similarities between Protestants and Orthodoxy.
 
.

Really Constantine? From a Catholic point of view as you stated in your first page post Protestantism mirrors Orthodoxy because it objects to the authority of Peter and the magesterium.

Where do you get “exactly like Catholicism”? The Sola scriptura, Sola fide protestant doctrine totally sets them apart from Catholicism and the apostolic faith.

The Protestant faith’s mirror Orthodoxy in their own Church authority, and they are autocephalous based church faiths, just like the Orthodox.

Theology? both protestants and Orthodoxy reject the Catholic terminology used to defeat heretics and heresies, such as Transubstantiation, Immaculate Conception, Purgatory, Infallibility of Peter (Popes) speaking ex-cathedra from the chair of Peter on faith and morals. Both protestants and Orthodox also agree to invent a new idea of infallibility as if the Popes are some sort of supreme human being with super heroe powers and authority over people by himself.

These are some of the similarities between Protestants and Orthodoxy.
You mean the Pope is not a super hero with super powers…:DLOL…
 
The symbolism of the Sacraments do not cease.
Trans doesn’t disagree with your above statement. The Bread and Wine do not cease, why would the symbol cease. I already mentioned the physical properties of bread and wine remain. In fact after the consecration you could take the bread and wine directly to a lab and it will most certainly test and return as bread and wine. Its a repeatable scientific experiment.

His point I believe starts from a false assumption.
 
If, as we are told, the Protestant Reformation was just about reforming a Catholic Church that had developed some problems, why does Protestantism not look like Eastern Orthodoxy (Or Catholicism, for that matter)?
Which Catholic Church do you think they should look like? 😛

It’s good to keep in mind that the Catholic Church at the time of the Reformation was quite different from the Catholic Church of today. The familiar form of Catholic worship really wasn’t codified until Trent - sometimes people forget that the Lutheran Divine Service is older than the current form of Catholic Mass!

There’s another underlying assumption in this question… implying that ‘Protestantism’ is some unified, monolithic church. Let’s be clear; there are many, separate communions that have been slapped with the “protestant” label. If we consider this fact and look at these communions individually, we see that many protestant churches are exactly like you’ve observed. They sure seem foreign to us more orthodox folk. But other communions that are considered “protestants” (Anglicans, Lutherans, etc.) do resemble pre-Tridentine Catholicism quite closely, both in worship style and belief. These “protestant” churches still consider themselves part of the One, Holy, catholic and Apostolic church.

Apologies if any of the above has already been noted. This thread=TLDR. 😃
 
There have been other Pan-Orthodox councils that has happened in the Second Millennium. A couple of definitive ones are the ones that defended the orthodoxy of Hesychasm, and the one that condemned Philetism. I forgot the names of those councils. They are not Ecumenical since they did not discuss Christology.
A few pan-Orthodox councils, not one œcumenical. Hm, interesting.
No, we do not believe in Doctrinal Development. If there is something that the Apostles did not know, how come we would know more than them? Both Catholics and Orthodox believe that revelation ended after the First Century with the death of St. John the Evangelist. So if there are no more revelations, how can we know more than the Apostles?
We can only if they didn’t think of it, but it is a logical conclusion of their teaching and the realities taught in Scripture and Tradition. Trinitarianism was one of those (Nicaea I). The denial of iconoclasm was, also (Nicaea II). As was the rejection of monphysitism and Nestorianism (Chalcedon).

Without the an authority - the bishops - to define and refine the teachings of the Apostles, in Holy Scripture and Holy Tradition, we would be as badly off as the Protestants. That is why Tradition is not a dead thing found only in the Fathers, but also a living thing found in our bishops to this day. Living things stay alive; they also grow. Dead things wither and crumble.

Oh, and a question I still have from an earlier post, if our Lutheran friends are still here:
Maybe this will shed some light.
What differs between the minister ordained by the bishop and the ordinary man-in-the-pew? Would it still be valid (but illicit, that is, not approved by the bishop) for any man to celebrate a Lutheran service?
Furthermore, what differentiates a Lutheran bishop from a Lutheran minister, or any ordinary Lutheran?
 
The Filioque is rejected by Orthodox theologians; Transubstantiation is accepted by the Orthodox even if the language is not employed. I am not trying to ‘make’ EO into RC. I just happen to have respect for my bishops and pastors as leaders of the Church and if they try to make peace with other churches then I do my best to support their mission. Perhaps you don’t share that same mentality with your church leadership.
No. See, you demonstrate the problem that the Orthodox reject. You do not differentiate between the Eucharist being the real body and blood of Christ, and Transubstantiation. To the RC, that is one and the same thing. It is not. The mystery of the Eucharist is not transubstantiation.
 
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